How to deal with aphids on petunias folk and shopping means
Petunia surprises with a variety of palettes, pleases with a pleasant aroma, does not leave anyone indifferent. The plant is grown on balconies, flower beds, flower gardens, garden plots, in the garden. One of the most common flower pests is aphid. A small insect is able to completely destroy a wonderful plant. How to deal with aphids on petunias, many gardeners are wondering, lovers of flowers.
Signs of infection
What petunia attacked aphid, can be determined by appearance:
- the plant stops growing;
- buds fall, flowers quickly grow dull;
- leaves curl, turn yellow, dark spots appear;
- Petunia begins to weaken, wither, young shoots dry up.
On a note!
On the back of the leaf and on the stem are visible black, green, red dots. These are different types of aphids and their larvae. Insects live in a colony, rapidly multiplying. For the entire warm season, up to 20 generations of aphids change.
By the end of summer, winged females and males appear. After the mating season, the males die, the females migrate to different plants, lay eggs. In such a state aphid winters. In early spring, the larvae appear, which, after their birth, begin to pest.
In the photo below you can see visually infection of petunias with aphids.
Biological, physical methods of struggle
It is possible to get rid of aphids on petunias by destroying infected leaves, knocking insects out with a stream of water, fingers.
For the extermination of pests attract natural enemies - ladybug, golden-eyed. This is done by regularly wetting the leaves with water or by planting in the immediate vicinity of dill, other plants of the umbrella family.
Aphids are afraid of sharp, persistent odors; in order to scare them away from petunia, it is enough to plant some crops in the immediate vicinity:
- tansy;
- sagebrush;
- marigold;
- calendula;
- bow;
- garlic;
- daisies;
- peppermint;
- parsley;
- tobacco;
- mustard
Or land a petunia near horseradish.
Strongly attract aphid begonia, viburnum, mallow, plum, kosmeya, linden. Planting petunia near these crops is not recommended.
Interesting!
During the tests it was found that a hybrid of petunia successfully fights with aphids. On the surface of the leaves, the stem has a down, which attracts aphids and kills them immediately. To prevent infection of the flower bed, it is enough to plant a hybrid near a natural petunia.
Folk remedies
To deal with aphids folk remedies possible at any stage of the growing season. Use plants, vegetables, tops, spices, substances with a pungent smell, soap:
- Grate 100g laundry soap on a coarse grater, add 1 liter of warm water. Dilute 1 liter of cold water, spray petunia, paying special attention to the stems, on the wrong side of the leaves.
- Dilute in 1 liter of water and 1 tbsp. spoon baking soda, salt, add liquid soap.
- Mix spices - pepper, mustard, cinnamon, in equal proportions. Separately, dissolve 50 g of tar soap in 1 liter of warm water. Add as much liquid and all the spices.
- Dilute 5 g of liquid ammonia or 100 ml in 1 l of cold water table vinegar. Treat petunia with a wide-tipped watering can.
- Dissolve in water tobacco powder or wood ash. Add a soap base. The same ingredients are sprinkled on the soil around the bush of flowers.
- Cut the tops of potatoes, tomatoes or tansy, wormwood, celandine. Pour 5 liters of water. Leave to infuse for 3 days. Put on the fire, boil for 1 hour. Add soap.
Also effective are:
On a note!
It is necessary to spray a petunia several times, with a break of 5-10 days. To continue treatment for prophylaxis every month - 1 time in 30 days.
Chemicals
Insecticides - this is what treat petunia from aphids with a strong infection.
However, it is better to do it during a certain period of vegetation. The best time is before the first leaves bloom before the buds form.In this case, the beneficial insects will not suffer that the flowers will pollinate.
Protection lasts 20 days. Active ingredients chemical preparations lose their properties under the influence of high temperature, light, part washed off by torrential rains.
The most effective drugs:
- Actellic;
- means of Aktara;
- Decis;
- Karate;
- Karbofos;
- Confidor.
Biological products for aphids:
- Fitoverm;
- Acarin;
- Arrow;
- tanrek drug;
- Jaguar;
- Bio Spark Remedy.
Processing is allowed to be carried out in any period of vegetation of plants. Repeated spraying is done in 14 days. The effect is observed for 5 days after spraying petunia thoroughly.
Combination methods are recommended to combine, insecticides to use with strong infection of the plant. Pay special attention to biological methods.